ADU and Other Proposed Zoning Changes

The City of Mesa has been working to update the Mesa Code of Ordinances to respond to recent bills passed by the State Legislature.  City Planning staff is working on proposed Mesa Zoning Ordinance text amendments pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), including casitas, as required by HB 2720. The proposed amendments include modifying the definition of ADUs, expanding the number of permissible zoning districts for them, and modifying height and setback requirements.

The proposals are intended to increase Mesa’s housing supply by providing smaller, more affordable units that provide well-planned and balanced growth of residential areas in the City. ADUs will also provide an additional source of income for homeowners, allows older residents to age in place and caretaker opportunities for families.

The graphic link illustrates the proposed ADU setback and height requirements.

The proposed text amendments were discussed by the Planning and Zoning Board at its Aug. 28 meeting, brought to Mesa City Council on Sept. 23, and and is scheduled for vote on Oct. 7.

Meanwhile, staff from several departments are working on developing an adaptive reuse process as required by HB 2297.  The process would include an administrative, streamlined process to promote multi-family housing in Mesa. This amendment to the Mesa Zoning Ordinance will be completed by the end of the year.

Staff is also working on updating the Subdivision regulations to take advantage of the streamlined, administrative approval process offered through SB 1103.  Finally, staff from several departments are working on with our development community to establish an Infill Ordinance to help streamline processes for smaller lots throughout the City.  This will help further encourage housing development in the City. Both of these projects are tentatively scheduled to be heard by City Council early next year.

Save The Date For Awards Breakfast

The Development Advisory Forum Awards Breakfast will be held Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at The Post, 26 N. Macdonald. The breakfast was started last year as a show of appreciation to the partnerships with the development community.

This year’s program will include an awards presentation by Development Services focusing on Best Architectural Design, Best Site Layout, Best Adaptive Reuse and Best Overall Project. The awards are nominated by Development Services staff and voted on by an internal committee. The program will also include a summary of the year and a look at future development.

To RSVP, contact Heather Omta at heather.omta@mesaaz.gov.

Pedal Haus

Pedal Haus Brewery is about to open a new location in downtown Mesa at the corner of Main and Robson. Pedal Haus is an adaptive reuse project of the former Pit Stop auto body shop and has kept the awning from the original business.

Pedal Haus will include a large patio; outdoor activities such as music, ping pong and cornhole; food on a limited menu and a variety of brews.

Pedal Haus, which has three other locations in the valley, was named 2023 Brewery of the Year by the Craft Brewer’s Guild.

Calendar

Advisory Board Meetings

Sept. 25
Planning and Zoning Board
4 p.m.
Upper Level Council Chambers

Oct. 1
Historic Preservation Board
6 p.m.
Lower Level Council Chambers

Oct. 2
Board of Adjustment
5:30 p.m.
Lower Level Council Chambers

Oct. 8
Design Review Board
4:30 p.m.
Lower Level Council Chambers

Oct. 9
Planning and Zoning Board
4 p.m.
Upper Level Council Chambers

Oct. 23
Planning and Zoning Board
4 p.m.
Upper Level Council Chambers

Nov. 6
Board of Adjustment
5:30 p.m.
Lower Level Council Chambers

Nov. 12
Design Review Board
4:30 p.m.
Lower Level Council Chambers

Nov. 13
Planning and Zoning Board
4 p.m.
Upper Level Council Chambers

Nov. 28
Planning and Zoning Board
4 p.m.
Upper Level Council Chambers

City Council Meetings

All City Council meetings start at 5:45 p.m. in the Upper Level Council Chambers

• Oct. 7
• Oct. 21
• Nov. 4
• Nov. 18

Community Events

Oct. 12
Celebrate Mesa
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Red Mountain Soccer Complex
905 N. Sunvalley Blvd.

Oct. 19-20
Dia de los Muertos
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mesa Arts Center
1 E. Main St.

Nov. 5
Election Day
Polls open 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Nov. 11
East Valley Veterans Parade
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Downtown Mesa

Nov. 29
Merry Main Street Kickoff
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Downtown Mesa

Dink & Dine

Dink & Dine Pickle Park is bringing its “sportstainment” complex to Mesa Riverview. They are retrofitting two existing retail buildings and connecting them with a roof shade structure. The covered area will have outdoor pickle ball courts and family-fun gaming activities. The north building, formerly housing Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, will remain as a restaurant. The south building will be used for indoor pickle ball courts and gaming activities.

The Dink & Dine Pickle Park is scheduled to open in February.

Residences at Cubs Way

Construction has started for Residences at Cubs Way, located at the intersection of Dobson Road and Cubs Way in the Riverview District. The development consists of 416 residence units. It will have a clubhouse which includes co-workspace, a fitness room, library, a lounge/café, spa/sauna and a rooftop terrace.

Fiesta Redevelopment

A proposed mixed-use development on the site of the former Fiesta Mall is continuing to go through the planning and zoning process. The proposal includes apartments and homes plus retail and commercial development. Fiesta Mall closed in 2019 and was demolished in 2023.

Extreme Home Makeover Development Services played a key role partnering with the crew of the TV series “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and Taylor Morrison for construction of two houses in Mesa. A new home in southeast Mesa was built in just 5 days and revealed to the family Sept. 17.  The second house near MD Anderson Cancer Center, was built as a patient family living facility and a center for patient classes and events. Development Services staff issued permits and were on site for building inspections and issuing the certificates of occupancy. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is returning to ABC-TV and Hulu. The dates for the episodes featuring the two houses in Mesa have not been announced.

Integrate Desert-Adapted Plants and Trees Into Fall Landscape Projects After the long, hot summer, a landscape refresh may be in order. And fall is the best time of year for planting. The healthiest landscapes are those with a diversity of plants, trees and shrubs. And especially those that thrive in our desert environment. We have a valuable resource to make plant selection even easier. Our newly updated book, Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert, features more than 200 plants that qualify for right-of-way projects and are included on the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Low-Water-Use Plant List. This ensures they are the best options for our arid climate and utilize minimal water. Find a location near you to pick up a copy or access the digital version.  As a reminder, be sure to contact Arizona 811 to have your utilities located before you dig. It’s the law.

Customer Service and Kudos For Development Services Department Employees

Several employees were recognized by Matthew Hodeaux, Director of Architecture for Parkway Construction & Architecture for their work on the Virgin Galactic project at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. “In my experience with numerous AHJ’s, I can honestly say this was one of the most pleasant experiences I have encountered.” Matthew mentioned Josh Grandlienard, Senior Planner; Emily Johnson, Planner I and Vanessa Felix, Planning Assistant. He also wanted to thank the permit technicians who fielded the incoming calls.

Kwasi Abebrese, Planner II; Chloe Durfee Daniel, Planner II and other staff members were recognized by Adam Goldberg with Goldies Motors, for their assistance when the company recently relocated its business to Mesa. “Everyone is extremely professional, kind, knowledgeable, and willing to take time to fully discuss the process at hand…Kwasi always answers the phone or calls back right away. He’s friendly over the phone even when giving me news that doesn’t exactly work for me! Again, thank you to Kwasi, Chloe and all the team members for their excellent customer service.”    

Chloe Durfee Daniel, Planner II, was recognized with a STAR Award, given to City of Mesa employees for outstanding work, by City Economic Development Project Manager Bryan Smith for her work on the MGC Pure Chemicals expansion project.

John Sheffer and Heather Basford, Development Services Deputy Directors, were recognized by Michael Devereaux, Taylor Morrison Architectural Director Phoenix Division, for their work on the Extreme Home Makeover projects. “I wanted to take the time to reach out to you and let you know how much we really appreciate all of your hard work and understanding to get us to this point. We could not have done this without you and your team at the City of Mesa.”

New / Promoted Employees

• Matthew Kriegl is a new Historic Preservation Officer
• Victor Drake  is a new Building Inspector II
• Mallory Ress is a new Senior Planner
• Mary Sellin  is a new Senior Plans Examiner
• Noah Bulson is a new Planning Technician
• Chris Clark has been promoted to Plans Examiner Supervisor
• Abraham Arnett is a new City Archaeologist
• Lucille Tucker is a new Permit Technician II

Permitting 480-644-4273  |  Planning 480-644-4726  |  Building Inspections 480-644-2428

mesaaz.gov/business/development-services